Bulb Life

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Constant Mesh

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My right low beam failed last week. That's the first bulb that's failed on my '04 FJR -- amazing! Over 60K miles and eight years of use.

Then two days later one of my tail lights failed, but the brake light is still OK.

I bought and installed a new headlight bulb from the local NAPA store. Don't know if some bulbs are more vibration resistant than others. The element support structure in the NAPA bulb looks the same as the OE bulb.

What's the recommended tail light bulb? Generic 1157, the 2397, 7528, etc.?

Something a bit confusing to me is the voltage rating on the bulbs. Some are rated at 12 volts and others at higher voltages.

 
My right low beam failed last week. That's the first bulb that's failed on my '04 FJR -- amazing! Over 60K miles and eight years of use.

Then two days later one of my tail lights failed, but the brake light is still OK.

I bought and installed a new headlight bulb from the local NAPA store. Don't know if some bulbs are more vibration resistant than others. The element support structure in the NAPA bulb looks the same as the OE bulb.

What's the recommended tail light bulb? Generic 1157, the 2397, 7528, etc.?

Something a bit confusing to me is the voltage rating on the bulbs. Some are rated at 12 volts and others at higher voltages.
You'll probably find your other headlight bulb will fail fairly soon, from what I've read here they always seems to fail in pairs.

The "03-05 Bin O' Facts (Generation I) " has this statement:

Rear Marker/Brake Light - 1157 (8.5/27 watts) or LED replacement here. Other numbers include 2057 (brighter brake light filament), 2357, 7528, & 7225. Consult here for details.
As for the voltage, if it's automotive, 12V is fine, they allow for the 14 volts vehicles run at. There are 24V ones, obviously for commercial vehicles.

[edit] Maybe it's worth checking to see that your voltage isn't too high, 13.8 to 14.1 maximum when charging. [/edit]

 
I have an 06 that wiith 95k miles, i changed out both headlights at 75k, one low beam went. the tailights/turning signal auto bulbs have to be modified to fit. I had to grind one of the tabs off because they do no allign to the holder but it worked, only changed the one bulb in the rear.

 
Excellent life on your headlight. Though many do differently, I only replace the bulb that burns out - not both.

As for the taillight, I wouldn't worry too much about voltage so much as wattage. 1157 will work but there are others that are more heavy duty and will supposedly last longer.

Here is an excellent thread from 'way back when': Clicky for taillight bulb info.

 
I replace bulbs in pairs. Recently put in rear run/brake #7528 from Riley's Auto Parts. Those are the right bulbs, and it takes just seconds to change both (I did it in the auto-parts parking lot). Front headlights are 9003/H4 bulbs and you can use standard Halogen or brighter Sylvania Silverstars. Life expectancy of brighter bulbs is slightly lower, but worthwhile to have extra light IMO if you drive at night. I am using a HID conversion kit in the headlight which I like a lot, but you will get many different opinions on that option here.

 

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